Holy Jim Canyon Trail

Getting There:

Exit Interstate 5 at El Toro Road and head east into the hills for about 7.6 miles. You will eventually come to a fork and El Toro splits into Live Oak Canyon Road on the Right and Santiago Canyon Road on the Left. Take note of the battered old restaurant on the corner. Cooks Corner is the local hangout of mountain bike riders, roadies, and Harley riders alike. It's a great place to grab a cold one and a burger after a hard ride. Take a right at this junction, after about 2 miles you will pass O'neil Park and see a dry creek bed on the left. This is the entrance to Trabuco Canyon. Drive about 4-5 miles just past the Holy Jim Canyon Firehouse. You will soon see the Mouth of Holy Jim Canyon where you will park.

The Ride:

Ride through the lower section of Holy Jim Canyon past the houses of volunteer fire fighters, crossing and carrying over various streams. Towards the back you will come to two T's in the road where you will turn left at both. Here you begin your steep climb and approach a series of over 12 very technical switchbacks. Continue this rigorous climb over 5 miles until you have to hike-a-bike up a short 100 foot section to reach the Main Divide. After this exhausting climb you can either journey down and enjoy the fruits of your labor or continue left on the Main Divide to the top of Santiago Peak, the highest peak in the Cleveland National Forest. You can also access many other trails from the Main Divide. This ride is not recommended for rookies. It will take a fairly strong rider about 2 hours.

For added adventure. (My favorite Ride) Turn right on the Main Divide and within approximately 5 miles of roller coaster riding with some steep climbs, you will come to Tabuco Canyon Trail described below. This is an excellent downhill which weaves in and out of overgrown trees. Be careful of the loose rock towards the bottom. When you get to th lower canyon keep heading down towards the main road you drove in on and you will reach your car at the Holy Jim trail head. This entire ride will take a fairly strong rider 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Make sure you have plenty of water and food.